FIFA World Cup 2006 Group D

Portugal, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, won the group with maximum points and were joined in the next round by Mexico, who were at the time fourth in the FIFA rankings. Debutants Angola suffered a narrow defeat against Portugal and earned draws in their other matches to finish with considerable credit.

Mexico 3 Iran 1

FIFA WM Stadion Nürnberg (41,000)
11 June 2006

A simple tap in by Guillermo Franco put Mexico in the lead (28') but just eight minutes later Iran were on level terms after Oswaldo Sanchez in the Mexican goal failed to deal with a cross and Yahya Golmohammadi snapped up the loose ball. The experienced Mexican team took control in the second half when two goals in three minutes made victory certain.

Portugal

Angola

Portugal 1 Angola 0

FIFA WM Stadion Köln (45,000)
11 June 2006

Pedro Pauletta put Portugal ahead in the fifth minute and although his team dominated the match, they were unable to add to the scoreline.

Mexico

Angola

Mexico 0 Angola 0

FIFA WM Stadion Hannover (43,000)
16 June 2006

Poor finishing and a splendid display by Angola's goalkeeper, João Ricardo cost Mexico valuable points. Angola played with resolution and deserved their first point in the World Cup finals.

Portugal

Iran

Portugal 2 Iran 0

FIFA WM Stadion Frankfurt (48,000)
17 June 2006

Both goals came in the second half in a match that Portugal dominated but questions were raised about their inability to convert chances into goals.

Portugal

Mexico

Portugal 2 Mexico 1

FIFA WM Stadion Gelsenkirchen (52,000)
21 June 2006

Portugal got off to the perfect start, Maniche scoring in the sixth minute followed by a penalty converted by Simão after 24 minutes. Mexico fought back and reduced the deficit five minutes later. In the second half Mexico should have drawn level but Omar Bravo blazed his penalty over the bar. Shortly afterwards Mexico appealed for a penalty after Pérez went down in the box but the referee decided he had dived and showed him a second yellow card. Even reduced to ten men, Mexico continued to press but could not break through.

Iran

Angola

Iran 1 Angola 1

Zentralstadion, Leipzig (38,000)
21 June 2006

Angola stood an outside chance of going into the next round and their prospects improved when Flávio scored with a header on the hour. Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh spoiled the party by equalising 14 minutes later.